Video: The Force of Kurosawa in Star Wars

It is no secret that George Lucas’s Star Wars films borrow heavily from Japanese samurai films, and Kurosawa’s The Hidden Fortress in particular. Although Lucas himself is no longer helming the series, this tradition of borrowing continues, as also we have discussed in connection with the latest Star Wars film, Rogue One.

ScreenPrism has put together a short video that discusses this aspect of Star Wars. The video, titled “Rogue One Explained: The Force of Kurosawa in Star Wars”, is available on YouTube and also embedded below for your viewing pleasure. Needless to say, there are plenty of spoilers, so stay away if such things bother you.

Discussion

Often imitated, never duplicated. 75 years after his first film, what director in that time even comes close, at least in terms of being imitated? There are a few, but Kurosawa is in a league of his own.

Not bad, in terms of content. The presentation and style could have benefited from restraint in the deployment of subtitles, particularly the subbing of key phrases. (Or sub the entire voiceover for the hearing impaired.)